How to become a Railway Shunter
Sorts, assembles and disassembles trains from rolling stock, and safely moves trains within marshalling yards.
Main tasks
- Assembles and disassembles trains, locomotives and/or rolling stock in the marshalling yard
- Places wagons into railway parking tracks (sidings)
- Moves trains safely between yards and platforms
- Conducts safety checks on trains and rolling stock
- Directs train drivers around the marshalling yard
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate II in Shunting (TLI23221)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $104,988 a year
- About 25,500 people work in this job group now, and about 27,200 are projected by 2035. (+6.9%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Related jobs
- Aircraft Baggage Handler and Ground Crew
- Aircraft Refueller
- Linemarker
- Railway Track Plant Operator
- Road Roller Operator
- Stevedore
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Railway Shunter?
Ways in include: Certificate II in Shunting.
How much does a Railway Shunter earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $104,988 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Railway Shunter a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 25,500 to about 27,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Railway Shunter?
Usually not. Only 7% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate II in Shunting.
Will AI change the work of a Railway Shunter?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04